A Progressive Party of Maldives worker poses with an "India Out" flag in Male, Maldives, March 21, 2022. REUTERS/Alasdair Pal/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMALE, Sept 6 (Reuters) - A presidential election in the Maldives on Saturday could be decisive in determining whether China or India win a competition for influence over the tiny Indian Ocean island chain. While India has longstanding cultural, financial and security ties with the Maldives, China has in recent years invested in infrastructure projects as it builds closer ties and pursues its Belt and Road vision of transport and energy networks. India, which denies that, is helping to build a naval harbour for Maldivian forces, who will be trained by the Indian military. Reporting by Mohamed Junayd in Male; Writing by Krishn Kaushik; Editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Alasdair Pal, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Mohamed Muizzu, Ahmed Shaheed, Shaheed, handouts, Solih, Muizzu, Mohamed Junayd, Krishn Kaushik, Robert Birsel Organizations: Progressive Party of, REUTERS, Reuters, Baani, Progressive Party, People's National Congress, Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party, Thomson Locations: Progressive Party of Maldives, India, Male, Maldives, China, Solih's